COMPOSITAE — THISTLE FAMILY 755 



found in the volatile oil, an 'anthelmintic. Aytemisia maritima, A. pontica, A. 

 Absinthium, A. biennis and A. Abrotanuin are also used for the dislodgement of 

 worms. The latter contains the alkaloid abrotauin C„j^H.,^H„0. Sage brush 

 (Ariemisia tridentata) and other species produce sneezing. 



Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium) is a stimulant and tonic; the volatile 

 oil produces cerebral disturbances and enters into the familiar composition of 

 absinthe, made by the French, and contains absinthin C^.H^^O^. Arnica root 

 (Arnica moniana) native to arctic Asia and America, is used as a popular 

 remedy for chilblains and bruises and contains the bitter principle aniicin C„^ 

 Hg^jO^. The tincture is liable to produce a form of dermatitis. Dande- 

 lion root (Taraxacum officinale) is used as a mild laxative and tonic and con- 

 tains a bitter principle taraxacin, and taraxacerin Cgll^.O. Lactucarium, the 

 milky juice from several species of the genus Lactnca occurs in lettuce, in which 

 is also found hciucopicrin, a bitter acrid substance, and lactucol C„jH,^0. 

 Colt's foot (Tussilago Farfara), a bitter astringent containing much mucilage, 

 is used for asthma. The costus (Saussiirea Lappa) produces flowers with 

 thistle-like heads and large roots, the latter of which are used as a perfume 

 and an incense; according to Kraemer, it contains a ketone. The musk tree 

 (Olearia argophylla) of Tasmania, whose leaves emit a musk-like odor, grows 

 to a height of 20 feet and is often 1 foot in diameter. The wood takes a nice 

 polish. Other trees of the order are found in the genus Scnecio (Senccio 

 Porsteri). The genus Baccharis, found along the sea coast, is shrubby. The 

 B. cordifolia contains bacchariii, an alkaloid poisonous to sheep. It is the 

 Mio Mio of South America. 



The button snake root (Lialris spicata) has been used as a remed}' for 

 snake bites, but it probably contains no antidotal properties whatever. Boneset 

 (Eupatorium perfoliatuiii) and other species much used in domestic medicines 

 for colds, and in large doses are emetic. They are tonics, emetics, cathartics, 

 and diaphoretics containing the bitter glucoside cupatorin. Horseweed (Eri- 

 gcron canadensis) and other species ar_e^ used as tonics and astringents. 



Golden-rod (Solidago odora) jsvtised to relieve colic, and gumwced (Grin- 

 delia squarrosa) is beneficial i^^jjsfhirrhal affections. It is said to contain an 

 alkaloid known as grindclin. Madia oil is obtained from tarwecd (Madia 

 sativa). The niger seed, the fruit of Gnizotia abyssinica, is an important source 

 of oil in Abyssinia and India. 



The root of the burdock (Arctium Lappa), used by the laity as a remedy 

 in skin diseases, contains a bitter glucoside, lappin. Chicory (Cichorium Intybus) 

 is used to increase the appetite and to aid digestion. Rattlesnake weed (Hiera- 

 ciiim venosiim) is a popular antidote to the bites of poisonous snakes. Rattle- 

 snake root (Prenantlies alba) is used as a remedy for toothache. The ragweeds 

 (Ambrosia artcmisiifoUa and A. trifida) are stimulants and astringents, the 

 larger weed being also supposed to cause hay fever. 



Dunbar has demonstrated that the producing cause of hay fever may be 

 pollen, and that pollen of all grasses, lillies of the valley, asters, and certain 

 other plants may produce an irritation similar to that accompanying hay fever. 

 He isolated an active principle which is believed to be a tox-albumin. A very 

 interesting account of his experiments is given by Rochussen in the twenty-sixth 

 volume of the Pharmaceutical Review. 



According to Maiden, the Helichrysum apiculatum of Australia causes 

 death from irritation and from the formation of hair balls. The African mari- 



